Dear Evan Hansen UK & Ireland Tour Review
The smash-hit contemporary musical hits the road in a brand-new production
Today is going to be a good day… because one of the biggest musicals of the last decade, Dear Evan Hansen has embarked on a UK tour in a brand-new production!
Penned by Steven Levenson with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (the duo behind La La Land and The Greatest Showman et al), the show features material familiar to many during its original production's six-year life in the West End and on Broadway, on the coming-of-age of the synonymous Evan Hansen, a socially anxious teenager beginning senior year in high school, feeling as if his existence did not matter to those around him.
Through a chance encounter with substance addict and fellow schoolmate Connor Murphy, an assignment from therapy plunges Evan into a whirlwind of events following Connor's suicide. Struggling between acceptance and truth, Evan fabricated one lie, unaware of the consequences that follow - some hilarious, some frustrating and some heartbreaking - a journey of growth underscored by the sounds of pop and musical theatre from Pasek and Paul.
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Continuing to resonate with global audiences since its inception in 2016, Adam Penford's non-replica production uses new designs and blocking to give the story a refreshed look while preserving the integrity of the original written material. From the absence of the titular character's iconic blue polo shirt, to moving translucent glass panels that slide to form parts of the set, and both static and floating video screens - the changes in this production's visual design from the original, a combination of lighting, video and set design by Matt Daw, Ravi Deepres and Morgan Large respectively, effectively draws this interpretation a step closer to the modern online world prevalent in the story.
As one of the most beloved contemporary musicals among a younger generation of theatregoers, there is much genius in its material; few pieces can weave as seamlessly between book and music as Levenson and Pasek & Paul's collaboration, justifying the motifs behind each musical number with a story that slowly builds towards a climax. In a preface to the script, the creators note that they initially struggled with “a cohesive, emotionally honest narrative"1 but through continuous trial and error, the trio decided to place the character's “hunger to connect”2 at the centre - this decision arguably contributed largely to the show's resounding success, expertly developing Evan and those around him to push towards a completely believable emotion breaking point.
And the response to a masterful story? Even more devoted performances that we as an audience feel privileged to be in the same space with; as adolescent figures around Evan's life, Lauren Conroy's Zoe Murphy generates mature chemistry as a love interest, while Vivian Panka (Alana Beck - an almost over-esteemed extrovert) and Tom Dickerson (Jared Kleinman - Evan's nerdy, tech-savvy family friend) provide the much-needed comedic relief from the increasing family tension.
As adults also struggling to communicate with their teens, Richard Hurst and Helen Anker delivers some of the more serious moments in the story as Connor's parents, but one of the two standout performances was Alice Fearn as Heidi Hansen, pouring out an abundance of emotion that meets a fierce voice in the portrayal of a desparate single mother.
It goes without saying that the leading role demands strong vocals, extended character work and a touch of emotion that brings a complex personality to life; Ryan Kopel, an undisputedly praiseworthy rising star with a charming stage presence, delivers every aspect of Evan and then some, not to mention a voice capable of reducing an audience to faintly audible sounds of silent tears - words, truly fail to describe its emotional impact.
In times when issues like mental health and isolation are as relevant as they were when Dear Evan Hansen was first written, you are unlikely not to be affected by this deeply human story - a powerful reminder that whatever challenges arise, wherever you are, reach out and you will be found.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Dear Evan Hansen plays at New Victoria Theatre Woking until 2 Nov, then continues its UK Tour until 5 Jul 2025. For all tour listings, visit the show website.
Tickets and Accessibility
🎟️ Tickets were kindly gifted by the venue. All views are my own, without any input or opinion from the venue or producers. Standard tickets were available across all ATG tour venues from £13, with Senior and Student concessions available. Venue pricing and discounts vary - please check venue listings for details.
♾️ The sound mix varies from venue to venue. At Woking, the sound mix was at a generally comfortable level though some musical numbers crescendo towards the end, normally signified by changes in bright lighting or video. Both acts start with a gradual build of voices and a gentle dimming of house lights. At 40 minutes into Act 1 after the line ‘I love you too’, the song Sincerely, Me starts suddenly.
At 2 minutes into Act 2, after the line ‘a reality’, the song Sincerely, Me (Reprise) starts suddenly. At around 35 minutes into Act 2 towards the end of the song Good For You, there is about 5 seconds of flashing lights.
